Where does “wristwatch” come from?
Wristwatch combines English watch with wrist, which descends from Middle English and Old English wrist, from Proto-Germanic wristuz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European weǵ-, meaning to move or turn.
wristwatch (English): A watch that is worn on a strap or band fastened...
Definitions
- A watch that is worn on a strap or band fastened...
Ancestry of “wristwatch”, step by step
wristwatch traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English watch
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | watch | A portable or wearable timepiece; The act of... |
| 2 | English | puppy | A young dog, especially before sexual maturity; A... |
| 3 | English | puppie | Obsolete form of puppy |
| 4 | Middle French | poupée | doll, toy |
| 5 | Old French | poupée | — |
| 6 | Latin | pupa | girl, little girl; doll, puppet; pupa |
| 7 | Latin | pupus | a boy, a child; a puppet; the pupil of the eye |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | peh₂w- | few, little; smallness |
via English wrist
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | wrist | The complex joint between forearm bones, carpus,... |
| 2 | Middle English | wrist | wrist; The joint at the ankle |
| 3 | Old English | wrist | wrist |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | wristuz | joint |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | wrīþaną | to weave, to twist |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | wreyt- | to twist |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | wer- | to burn; to cover, heed, notice; squirrel |